Keion Brooks learned something about Cats in exhibition win that might surprise you

Keion Brooks (Jeff Houchin Photo)

Kentucky had five players in double figures, shot 37 percent from 3-point range and beat Kentucky Wesleyan Friday night by 23 points. Yet it might surprise you what junior forward Keion Brooks, who had 18 points and eight rebounds in 21 minutes, said he learned about the team.

“I learned that we’re just not as good as we think we are. We got some stuff we need to tighten up,” Brooks said. “But we have a good team in terms of spacing the floor, getting in the lanes, and finding the right plays for each other.

“Sometimes the ball stuck a little bit but for the most part I thought everyone was doing their part. It was just a good test to see where we are at this point. I think going forward we can tighten our mistakes and we will be a lot better.”

That’s the attitude any coach, but especially John Calipari, has to love. A veteran who went 4-for-6 from 3-point range and had just one turnover in what most would consider a terrific game talking about what the team did not do right.

“There’s a little adjusting but we play conservative in practice. You have point guards like Sahvir (Wheeler), Davion (Mintz), and TyTy (Washington) that push the issue (pace). It just makes it easier for the rest of us,” Brooks said.

“Coach Cal is encouraging Bryce (Hopkins) and myself and the other guys that can rebound to get it and go. He doesn’t want the point guard running them down and slowing them down. We can get it bring it and push it ahead. That’s the way we practice and will continue to play.”